What is Cerebral Palsy?

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Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders involving brain and nervous system functions such as movement, hearing, seeing and sometimes thinking. The term cerebral refers to the brain and palsy refers paralysis or lack of control with one’s body. It is often a disability resulting from lack of oxygen to the brain during pregnancy, labor or delivery. It can be caused by medical negligence or improper medical care by a nurse, doctor or other medical professional.

You may get different cerebral palsy definitions when you ask, what is cerebral palsy?

What is Cerebral Palsy – Types of Cerebral Palsy

According to Cerebral Palsy: A Complete Guide for Caregiving, by Freeman Miller MD and Steven J. Bachrach MD, the types of cerebral palsy are classified by the movement impairment they produce.

Spastic cerebral palsy – Doctors diagnose spastic CP by the stiffness of the muscles. Experts differ in opinion about how often spastic CP occurs. It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of all people with CP have spastic CP.

Athetoid cerebral palsy – Athetoid cerebral palsy is the second most common type, accounting for 5 to 20 percent of all CP cases.

Ataxic cerebral palsy – Ataxic CP is the least common type, affecting 5 to 10 percent of all people with CP.

Delays in reaching developmental milestones, such as pushing up on arms, sitting up alone or crawling

What is Cerebral Palsy – Is there a cure?

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), there is no cure for CP. However, cerebral palsy treatment can improve the lives of those who have it. The quality of the care, education, and treatment of children with CP can help children become as independent as possible. One child might require only a little help. Another may need care for life. Children with cerebral palsy deserve quality care, which can be expensive and ongoing. The cerebral palsy life expectancy is the same as anyone else’s.

What is Cerebral Palsy – Birth Injury Attorney

If you believe your child has a birth injury that may have been caused by negligent or improper medical care, our birth injury attorneys may be able to help. We have over 30 years of experience representing families like yours in birth injury cases resulting from substandard care. Our team of skilled Legal Nurses will listen to your concerns and help get your questions answered.